Impaired Quality of Life in Patients with Autoimmune Atrophic Gastritis

Background Autoimmune atrophic gastritis (AAG) leads to vitamin B12 deficiency that may manifest with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as emotional instability, cognitive deficits, depression, and personality changes. Aims To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with AAG and the interplay between QoL, psychopathological symptoms, and demographic factors. Methods This is an observational, cross-sectional study including 102 patients with AAG (mean age 62 +/- 13 years), 100 with functional gastrointestinal disorders (mean age 38.3 +/- 17 years), 100 with other chronic organic gastrointestinal diseases (mean age 50.9 +/- 21.4 years), and 100 healthy controls (mean age 37.5 +/- 18.9 years). The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) and the General Health Questionnaire-12 were administered. The results of the scales were compared among the study groups. Linear regression analyses were fitted to identify independent predictors of QoL in AAG patients. Results QoL was significantly different among the four groups in all subdomains. In particular, the AAG group was significantly (P < 0.01) more impaired than the functional gastrointestinal disorder group in the physical functioning and it was significantly more impaired than the control group in all the quality of life subdomains with exception of vitality. Vitamin B12 serum level was a significant (P < 0.04) independent predictor of physical functioning. Conclusions Patients with AAG have a decreased QoL compared to healthy controls, but in line with that of patients with organic gastrointestinal disorders. Physical component is responsible for worsening QoL. Vitamin B12 supplementation may positively affect patient's perception of body functioning.